US congratulates Indonesia’s president-elect

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. says it looks forward to working with Joko Widodo who was elected Tuesday to become Indonesia’s next president.

Secretary of State John Kerry congratulated Widodo on his victory, although the losing contender, Prabowo Subianto, has rejected the result.

Kerry said that as the world’s second and third largest democracies, the U.S. and Indonesia “set an example for the world” and share common values, including respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Kerry said in a statement: “The United States looks forward to working with President-elect Widodo as we deepen our partnership.”

Widodo is currently Jakarta governor. He was the first candidate in a direct presidential election in Indonesia with no ties to the former dictator Suharto, who ruled for 30 years before being overthrown in 1998.